San Joaquin County Biographies
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
GEORGE SAMUEL LADD.
For a period covering only a little less than fifty years George Samuel
Ladd was actively identified with the interests of Stockton, where he arrived
January 14, 1853, and was from that time associated with educational, real
estate and commercial enterprises until his death, April 25, 1902. Not only does
this era cover almost the entire period of the American occupancy of California,
but in addition it represents the epoch of progress and development of the
Pacific coast resources, which prior to the discovery of gold had been unknown
to the world. Shortly after the discovery of gold, he started for this region,
full of courage and ambitious to make his own way in the world, unmindful of
hardships and perils by the way. He never regretted his decision to leave New
England for the more fruitful regions of the West, but rather rejoiced in the
privilege of aiding in the upbuilding of this great state.
Descended from an old New England family, George Samuel Ladd was born in
Danville, Vt., May 28, 1832, being a son of Seneca and Pamelia (Estabrook) Ladd,
and a brother of John S. and Ira W. Ladd, also pioneers of California. His
earliest education was obtained in the seminary at Sanbornton Bridge and there
he was fitting for college when he heard of the discovery of gold in California.
At once all of his plans for the future were changed and he began to prepare for
the long journey to the new gold fields. With his father he took passage in 1851
on a vessel which made the trio by way of Cape Horn to San Francisco, where they
landed after an uneventful voyage. They at once set cut for the mines in
Tuolumne County, where they met with fair success, but finally returned to
Danville, Vt., arriving in July of 1852.
A few months later George S. Ladd, accompanied by his youngest brother,
Ira W., came to California by the Panama route, and reached Stockton on January
14, 1853. In addition to mining interests he became interested in the freighting
and commission business with his brother, John S.; later he became a partner of
George West and Sidney Newell in the manufacture and sale of products from the
West Vineyard. From time to time he had bought and sold farms in various
counties of California, as well as in Oregon, and his ventures had proved of
financial benefit to him and had enabled him to accumulate a considerable
property. At the time of his death he left, in addition to his business property
in Stockton, land in Fresno and San Joaquin counties, and property in Oregon,
all of which has greatly increased in value. Fraternally he was a member of the
Odd Fellows, which he joined in 1856, and belonged to Stockton Lodge No. 11 and
was also a member of the Pioneer Society of San Joaquin County. He was a stanch
Republican. For three years he was a member of the city council of Stockton and
also officiated as state commissioner of the Yosemite Valley. For more than
twenty years he was a member of the choir of the First Presbyterian Church of
Stockton.
A record of the career of George Samuel Ladd would be incomplete were no
mention made of his association with the educational development of his county
and state. From early manhood he held a life certificate as a teacher and during
his residence in Tuolumne County served as school trustee. In 1867 he was
appointed superintendent of the schools of Stockton, and this position he held
by appointment until the first election under the new charter, when he was duly
elected to the office, holding same until 1880. Under his administration the
local schools were brought to a high standard of excellence and the building of
modern structures begun. Perhaps no work he accomplished in the position was
more important than that of recommending a revision of the school law and manual
outlining the duties of pupils, teachers and superintendents, which
recommendation was adopted.
The marriage of Mr. Ladd took place in Stockton May 28, 1856, and united
him with Miss Abigail Bourland, a native of Arkansas, born January 30, 1840. Her
parents, Alne and Rebecca (Cook) Bourland, were born, reared and married in
Alabama, but shortly after their marriage removed to Arkansas and settled at
Fort Smith, where they remained for a number of years. During 1854 they started
for California across the plains and proceeded as far as Surprise Valley without
misfortune, but while camping there the mother died of heart disease. The
survivors arrived in Stockton September 22, 1854. A brother, Lafayette Bourland,
now of Woodland, Yolo County, aged ninety years, had come in 1853, and met the
family and conducted them to Stockton. The maternal grandmother, Mrs. Abigail
Bourland. lived to be ninety-six years old. Mr. and Mrs. Ladd were the parents
of four sons. The eldest, George Edwin, was born May 11, 1857, and married in
Stockton November 26, 1884, Miss Mary Evaline Van Vlear, who was born in
Stockton in 1860. They were the parents of two children, Jeanette and Edwin
Hubbard. George Edwin is now deceased. The second son, Walter Eugene Ladd, born
May 27, 1859, and his marriage, which occurred February 5, 1885, united him with
Miss Lucy Estella Ayers, who was born in San Joaquin County, December 9, 1862.
They were the parents of six children, four of whom grew to mature years; George
Allen, Walter E., Elmer A. and Juliette. Walter Eugene is now deceased. The two
youngest sons of the Ladd family are Joseph Marshall and Dr. Ira Bourland.
Joseph M. was born December 31, 1864; he is a resident of Stockton, where,
August 17, 1905, he married Louise Poppelwell, a native of England, but a
resident of Stockton since she was five years of age. Ira B. Ladd was born May
28, 1868; after, his graduation from Cooper Medical College he practiced his
profession in Stockton and held the position of county health officer. He
married, first, Mrs. Mollie E. (Grattan) Cross. His second marriage united him
with Miss Mabel Elliott and they had two sons, Ira M. and Bourland E. Ira B.
Ladd is now deceased.
In the passing of George S. Ladd the city lost a citizen who had been
ever alert to promote her educational, civic and commercial interests, and whose
name will long be remembered as that of an honored pioneer. Mrs. Ladd resides in
Stockton and is an active worker in the First Presbyterian Church; and is a
member of the Kings Daughters, Red Cross and other kindred societies; she is a
member of the Philomathean Club of Stockton. Like her respected and esteemed
husband, she too is generous and kind and leaves no opportunity unheeded to
assist those less fortunate than herself or to help promote the best interests
for Stockton and her citizens. Mrs. Ladd owns the property in California
accumulated by Mr. Ladd.
History of San Joaquin County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co.,
1923
p 503
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.